Demon Slaying

Xiao Jie pondered for a moment.

Clearly, the rewards for these three options were all different.

The first would undoubtedly grant the full reward, but it was also the hardest. With only him and I Want to Become Immortal challenging the Tree Demon Spawn, it would be dangerous if that thing turned out to be some huge monster.

The second was relatively safer, but the rewards would be reduced. From what the Old Village Chief said, it seemed there would only be equipment rewards and no monetary reward.

The third carried no danger at all, but it also offered the least reward—only money. It was the safest option and required no fighting whatsoever.

"Brother Following Wind, which one should we pick?"

"The second one."

Xiao Jie said through gritted teeth. The thought of a top-tier quest reward becoming second-rate made his heart bleed.

A thousand Copper Coins! How many trees would he have to chop, how many sheep would he have to tend, to earn that much?

But there was nothing to be done. As he had said before, wishful thinking was the biggest trap in games like this. It was absolutely unacceptable. Safety had to come first in everything.

He selected the second option.

"Old Village Chief, it would be best if you sent some militiamen with us, just in case."

The old man nodded. "Mm, that makes sense. Very well. I have a token here. The two of you may take it to Captain Tie and requisition a few militiamen to accompany you."

[System Notification: Obtained quest item [Village Chief's Token].]

Xiao Jie glanced at the token in his inventory.

This should make things safe enough.

Let's go. It was still light out, so they should get this done early.

It was already past three in the afternoon. If they delayed any longer, night would fall.

The two arrived at the militia training ground, where Tie Qianli was drilling more than a dozen militiamen under his command.

The militiamen of Ginkgo Village generally wore Leather Armor and carried weapons such as swords and shields, spears, and bows. Most were around level five or six.

Xiao Jie took out the token and explained why they had come.

"Captain Tie, the Village Chief has ordered you to assign several militiamen to assist us with official business."

Tie Qianli accepted the token and examined it, then nodded. "I understand. These are all capable men under my command. You may choose as you please. However, my men all have families to support. If they are to risk their lives with you, you will need to provide some settlement money before I can give the order. It is not much—five hundred coins per person.

Choose however many men you need, and pay by the head."

So that was how it worked. Requisitioning militiamen came with a flexible fee—the more he recruited, the higher the cost.

But since he was going to spend money anyway, Xiao Jie had no intention of being stingy. Two thousand coins would hire exactly four men.

He began inspecting them one by one.

Feng Qisheng: Sword and Shield Militia: Level 5. Skill: Shield Defense.

Teng Qizhi: Spear Militia: Level 6. Skill: Thrust.

Duan Leyue: Sword and Shield Militia: Level 6. Skill: Whirlwind Slash.

Wang Yidu: Archer Militia: Level 5. Skill: Rapid Fire.

Liu Liangyu: Archer Militia...

He had not expected such a small village to have so many militiamen. There were more than a dozen to choose from.

Xiao Jie did not hesitate and selected only Sword and Shield Militia.

If they were chopping down a tree, spears and bows would surely be useless. Men with blades were more suitable.

"Brother Become Immortal, let's each put in another two hundred coins. Go buy four Firewood Knives."

"Huh? Why?"

Xiao Jie explained, "The Willow Leaf Saber only has 14 chopping attack power. Its damage is too low, and I don't feel confident. Though the Firewood Knife only has 12 chopping attack power, it has the [Wood Cutting] weapon effect, which gives 50% increased damage. It's perfect for chopping a tree demon. Besides, it's only a little money. Don't you agree?"

"Got it. I'll handle it right away. I'll pay for it."

Xiao Jie did not stand on ceremony. "That works too. Hurry up. We'll meet at Back Mountain."

Ten minutes later, the two arrived beside the Ginkgo Tree on Back Mountain with four militiamen.

All four militiamen had switched to Firewood Knives.

Looking at the Ginkgo Tree before him, Xiao Jie thought that it would have been nice to have fire. Fire countered wood, and fire spells would definitely be useful against this thing.

But that was just wishful thinking. He probably would not have a chance to learn magic anytime soon.

"You four, get ready. If this tree makes any move, chop it immediately," Xiao Jie said to the four militiamen.

"Rest assured, brave warriors. We are ready."

The four men took up positions around the four sides of the Ginkgo Tree. Xiao Jie drew his saber, while I Want to Become Immortal raised his axe. The two attacked together.

Crack!

Thunk!

An axe and a saber struck the Ginkgo Tree's trunk at the same time, and blood immediately sprayed out.

Yet the Ginkgo Tree showed no reaction, as though it were nothing more than an ordinary tree.

Neither of them hesitated. One swung his axe, the other his saber, hacking away without pause.

After several rounds, the Ginkgo Tree was covered in flowing blood, a horrifying sight.

Just as Xiao Jie began to think the thing had no combat ability at all, the Ginkgo Tree suddenly began to shake violently. Countless branches trembled like tentacles, the ground churned, and more than a dozen root-like vines burst from beneath the earth and lashed toward the two of them.

A long Health Bar also appeared above the Ginkgo Tree.

Tree Demon Spawn (Lesser Demon): Elite Monster: Level 9, Health: 590.

Damn, it really was alive! Xiao Jie was both startled and delighted.

"Get in there, get in there, get in there!" he shouted urgently at the militiamen as he quickly retreated.

He was only a level-one newbie. This was no time for him to tank a monster.

The four Sword and Shield Militia charged forward, waving their Firewood Knives and hacking wildly.

I Want to Become Immortal was about to rush in as well, but Xiao Jie hurriedly called out, "Don't be reckless. We only need to make sure we participate. Let the four of them tank it."

As he spoke, Xiao Jie darted forward and used One Cut Two Pieces, severing one of the roots before quickly retreating and letting the four militiamen draw the tree demon's aggro.

These militiamen wore Leather Armor and had around 200 health each. Taking one or two hits would merely wound them, not kill them. They were far tougher than him.

Seeing this, I Want to Become Immortal copied him. After swinging his axe, he rolled out of the fight.

The two took turns attacking, only chipping in damage from the edges. More than half the battle's main damage output came from the militiamen.

The Firewood Knives were indeed remarkably effective against the tree demon. Every strike took more than ten points off its health, and after several rounds, the tree demon's Health Bar was nearly empty.

"No! Why? Why!"

The Tree Demon Spawn let out a strange roar, its roots thrashing wildly.

Xiao Jie hurriedly backed away several steps. That thing clearly looked like it was about to use its Ultimate Skill.

Even I Want to Become Immortal noticed something was wrong and likewise retreated two steps.

Suddenly, more than a dozen roots shot toward the nearest militiaman. In an instant, the militiaman was wrapped up like a mummy.

The roots pierced directly into the militiaman's body and began draining his health. The tree demon's nearly depleted Health Bar immediately began to recover.

"Quick! Cut off its roots!" Xiao Jie rushed forward.

One Cut Two Pieces!

A flash of saber light cut a thick root cleanly in two, blood spraying from the severed end.

I Want to Become Immortal also leaped into the air, bringing his logging axe down in a heavy jumping chop onto a root and severing another one.

The three militiamen hacked away in a frenzy as well. After several rounds, they finally cut through all the roots.

Rumble! The Tree Demon Spawn's Health Bar finally bottomed out, and it crashed to the ground.

[System Notification: You participated in killing the Elite Monster [Tree Demon Spawn]. You gained 189 experience points. Your level has increased. You are now Level 2. You gained 5 free attribute points.]

"Haha, we did it!" I Want to Become Immortal shouted excitedly.

"We did it." Xiao Jie also let out a long breath.

"Old Liu!" one of the militiamen suddenly cried out.

Only then did Xiao Jie notice that the militiaman who had been bound by the roots was already dead.

His entire body had been drained dry, shriveled into the shape of a mummy.